Words on Running

If you're the type of person who can do nothing for weeks and then just get up and run 6 miles in 60 minutes with no problem just because you thought it would feel good, then I just don't know if your the type of person who should read this particular post.

So I've been running. I know, I know, shocking. More on this later.

Anyhow, about a week ago, in an effort to encourage me to go 3 miles instead of my originally planned 2.5 miles, Phil said, "Just think, you can blog about it when you're done!"

Slightly embarrassed he knew this would act as an incentive for me, I scoffed and said, "I wouldn't blog about running 3 miles." I mean, really, who would blog about running 3 miles?

However, blogging about running 4 miles? Now, that's something to blog about! This is a super big deal for me. Getting to this point has not been easy, mind you. If you know me, you know I've always hated running (now, it's more of a hate/it's okay relationship). I've always felt it was one of the most efficient forms of exercise, but hated it because it was so hard. Every time I tried to start running, I'd do it all wrong. I'd take on too much too fast or I'd go running with track gurus or marathon runners, who would pull the whole run to the end of the block and run back to get me (and run to the end of the block and run back to me, and run to the end of the block and run back to me) before I finally caught up and we started the whole thing over again. Every time I thought, "wow, running stinks".

...and no, this is not a photo of me running.

Then, I had a baby. If you're like me and had the whole "what's the point" attitude toward exercising while pregnant, then you know all sorts of motivations to get back in shape come after your baby is born. I then, had the fortunate event of knowing two other mothers (particularly one) who just had babies a couple months before me and were starting to run again. It is thanks to their motivation and advice I was able to get to a point where running a respectable distance was an attainable goal. If I remember correctly, I believe, my first day into it I could only do rounds of running 30 seconds, walking 2 minutes. Always, increasing the time, I remember having a pit in my stomach the day before we were going to actually run more than walk.

So although, reaching this point is a big deal for me, I still have quite a ways to go. Because, you see, I have some how managed to commit myself to two runs. A 12k in June and a twelve-man relay in July. My plan? In June, don't worry about my time. Finishing will be a victory in itself. I'll try to improve my speed for July. However, if that doesn't pull through, I'll have my husband, who just happens to have the legs of a Greek god (he's one of those aforementioned readers) there with me to make up for what I lack. Good plan? I think so.

So, I get to blog about running at 4 miles. When I get to 5 miles, I get to purchase myself a swanky running outfit.